PreambleA seismic morning in Downing Street with the resignation of David Blunkett in a one-to-one meeting with Tony Blair in No 10 just after 10 o'clock. That means there's only one subject of interest at PMQs: how will the prime minister square his full backing for his fallen colleague as recently as last night, and his decision to accept his resignation this morning?

Will Mr Blunkett be sat beside Mr Blair on the frontbench? The departing work and pensions secretary is already planning a farewell press conference in his department immediately after PMQs.

For the Tories, it's another scalp and a personal victory for the shadow leader of the Commons, Chris Grayling, who has been leading the charge for the Tories in the absence of the two leadership candidates, David Davis and David Cameron. Mr Davis, in particular, must be galled not to be able to claim Mr Blunkett's resignation as a personal victory.

The chamber is packed even through the preceding Welsh questions.

Midday: Labour's Ken Purchase gets the first question, but Mr Blair begins by announcing the resignation and calls Mr Blunkett "a decent and honourable man" who has overcome obstacles "that would have defeated the rest of us".

Mr Purchase goes on to criticise the appalling and dreadful statement of the Iranian president in calling for Israel "to be wiped off the map".

Mr Blunkett does not appear to be present in the chamber - or at least not near Mr Blair on the front bench.

"Nobody is talking about military threats," responds Mr Blair on the question of Iran, but says the international community will not put up with the country's breach of UN requirements.

Michael Howard gets up. He says Mr Blair's "leak of authority has turned into a haemorrhage", to loud cheers from the Tory backbenches. "In his handling of the [Blunkett] affair has his judgment been in fault in any way?" he asks.

There were three sets of allegations, responds Mr Blair, but a breach of the ministerial code did not require dismissal because there was no conflict of interest and he registered his jobs in the register of members' interests.

Had the allegation of helping the DNA firm been proven, it most certainly would have been a resigning offence, says Mr Blair, but the PM looked into it and found that was not the case.

"It became impossible with the frenzy surrounding him [Mr Blunkett] for him to continue in that job," says the PM, but adds that "a lot of what has been written about him has been simply untrue".

"He goes with no stain of impropriety on him whatsoever," concludes Mr Blair.

12.05: "I shall resist the temptation to ask him [Mr Blair] to name his remaining allies in the cabinet," counters Mr Howard - who until today has kept silent on the Blunkett affair. "What's happened to his authority?" adds the Tory leader, quoting rows over schools and banning alcohol on public transport.

"This week marks the beginning of the final chapter of his administration," declares Mr Howard. "The sole source of authority in his cabinet is the chancellor of the exchequer."

Quoting Norman Lamont's criticism of John Major, he says Mr Blair is "in office but not in power".

"We can be proud of our record in government," concludes Mr Blair, as their joust ends.

12.10: Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, raises a seemingly arcane point - why is Mr Blunkett asked to seek advice, but not necessarily take it?

"It's ridiculous that they can seek advice but then not take it," he declares. It's been pretty clearly demonstrated today, says the PM, confusingly.

12.15: Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader, Elfyn Llwyd, says there have been 700 pieces of criminal legislation under New Labour; could the PM put a weekly reminder in the House of Commons library to remind MPs what they all are?

The PM turns the question around to confront Plaid and other parties on whether they will vote against the anti-terrorism bill this afternoon, in the face of the opinion of the chief commissioner of the Metropolitan police.

12.20: Mr Blair is praised for his government's addition of new amendments on death by careless driving into the current road safety bill.

The Tory Sir Peter Tapsell asks simply: "Why does he think that it is widely regarded that his presidency of the EU has been a failure?"

Mr Blair jokes that the Conservatives should regard that as a triumph.

A Labour MP topically calls for a complete ban on the sale of fireworks to the general public.

The Speaker tells off a Tory MP for heckling - or, more accurately, heckling louder than his colleagues.

Other topics raised by MPs are: improving school standards in their constituency, runaway children and regeneration around the Birmingham area near the factory of the collapsed carmaker MG Rover.

A question on the extension of the Manchester tram from Rochdale's new MP is ruled out of order for being too rambling.